• Charles Reisner – The Cobra Strikes (1948)

    1941-1950Charles ReisnerCrimeDramaUSA

    A scientist who has perfected a new bio-weapon, is attacked and lies in a coma. A newspaperman tries to unravel the mystery as three murders are committed by poison, all related to a set of bejeweled statues.Read More »

  • Vladimir Gajdarov – Wellen der Leidenschaft AKA The Waves of Passion (1930)

    1921-1930AdventureEstoniaSilentVladimir GajdarovWeimar Republic cinema

    Synopsis:
    The young Brazilian journalist Rex Ronney is gathering data for his book on Nordic alcohol smuggling and embarks on a boat trip to Estonia and Finland, where alcohol is prohibited. On the boat, he meets the booze king Kõlgis, whose confidence he wins. Kõlgis issues him a letter of recommendation and sends him to the smuggler Bratt in Tallinn, who is in the service of Mart Martens, who in turn is heavily indebted to Kõlgis. As a result, Betty Martens, his daughter, is compelled to get engaged with Kõlgis. In order to clear her father’s debts, Betty conducts the alcohol transports from Finland herself. When Rex Ronney shows up, it has consequences…Read More »

  • Jason Massot – Louis Theroux: Law and Disorder in Lagos (2010)

    2001-2010DocumentaryJason MassotTVUnited Kingdom

    Quote:
    On the streets of Lagos, it is not the police who wield power but gangs of fight-hardened young men known as Area Boys. Louis spends time with several outfits, joining them as they patrol their turf, clash with local rivals and keep the peace in a brutal and haphazard fashion. The main income for the Area Boys is an arbitrary and unofficial form of taxation, extracted from local businesses and commercial drivers. Louis gets to know the rich and glamorous Area Boy leader MC, a former street youth himself, who has now become a friend of the most powerful men in the city. Taken under MC’s wing, Louis experiences the top levels of the Area Boys’ world from the inside, complete with a tour of MC’s grand residence and extensive shoe collection, and ending in a chaotic mini-riot with gunshots, blood and mayhem.Read More »

  • Delmer Daves – Kings Go Forth (1958)

    1951-1960Delmer DavesDramaUSAWar

    Synopsis:
    Race, love, and war. The Allies have landed in France, set up in a coastal town, where Lt. Sam Loggins, a serious guy from Manhattan’s west side, falls hard for Monique Blair, an American raised in France. Loggins’ sergeant, Britt Harris, a playboy from Jersey, also finds Monique attractive. She chooses one to love and the other to befriend after disclosing her parents’ history and why she lives in France. The men say it makes no difference, a wedding is announced, and the soldiers face a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. But is everyone being truthful?Read More »

  • Shinsuke Ogawa – Seinen no umi AKA Sea of Youth (1966)

    1961-1970DocumentaryJapanShinsuke Ogawa

    Quote:
    SEA OF YOUTH was Ogawa’s first directorial effort. After leaving Iwanami Productions along with most of his cohort, he struck an unusual path. He gathered young activists together to make an independent documentary on the plight of correspondence students. The film features the group itself as they plot their activism. Many of the onscreen personalities would become core members of Ogawa Productions. The film met only mild success in fundraising, so they completed it by selling off books and blood.Read More »

  • Vangelis Serdaris – Listeia stin Athina AKA Robbery in Athens (1969)

    1961-1970CrimeFilm NoirGreeceVangelis Serdaris

    Three young people have decided to rob the safe of the estate agent Thomas Christidis, whose office is in the center of Athens. The first of them is Ntinos, who is Christidis’ clerk, the second one is Stavros, Ntinos’ younger brother who works as a book representative, while their friend Michalis is a pirate taxi-driver. The robbery is successful, and they feel excited (tainiothiki.gr)Read More »

  • Eddy Terstall – Simon (2004)

    2001-2010ComedyDramaEddy TerstallNetherlandsQueer Cinema(s)

    IMDB:
    This is not only the best dutch movie that I have ever seen, but one of the most moving movies that I have ever seen. Great picture of dutch society, on extraordinarily interesting people, full of great humor and sadness, and most importantly on life and death (parallel to the last two). This film is FULL in every way that a film should and can be. It is the heart-filling and heart-wrenching story of one of the most extraordinarily human lives (beautifully acted) ever put on film. It is about Simon, his fast life, his loved ones, and his chosen death. It is also about the truly free society, where all can choose their life and their death for themselves. It is a portrait of a culture of personal responsibility, love, and life that is so needed everywhere. It will make you think, laugh and cry. When and if you can, see this picture, you won’t be disappointed. It’s one of the greats.Read More »

  • Louis De Rochemont – The Ramparts We Watch (1940)

    1931-1940DocumentaryDramaLouis De RochemontUSA

    America learns the value of wartime preparedness in de Rochemont’s study of World War I’s effect on average citizens (imdb)Read More »

  • Milton Carruth & Lewis R. Foster – She’s Dangerous (1937)

    1931-1940CrimeDramaLewis R. FosterMilton CarruthUSA

    A beautiful woman suspected of being a jewel thief is actually a detective tracking down a ring of bond thieves.Read More »

Back to top button